Classical works

A Spanish Jew who wrote in Arabic, Maimonides is best known as a theologian who reconciled the doctrines of Aristotle with those of the Jewish scriptures. This Mishneh Torah is his most famous philosophical work and remains the only complete codification of Jewish Law. After fleeing Spain for North Africa, Maimonides became Saladin's court physician in Egypt. His medical writings were also immensely influential and at his death an Arabic poet (Al-Sa'id ) wrote:

"Galen's art heals only the body, But Abu Imram's [Maimonides'] the body and the soul. With his wisdom he could heal the sickness of ignorance. If the moon would submit to his art, He would deliver her of her spots at the time of full moon, Cure her of her periodic defects, And at the time of her conjunction save her from waning."